Managing Director

Austin School of Furniture Managing Director

About Us

The Austin School of Furniture Foundation is a woodworking and furniture-making trade school dedicated to fostering craftsmanship, design, and practical woodworking skills in a fun and safe learning environment. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, we provide students with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to pursue a lifelong hobby or career in furniture making.

We are seeking a Managing Director to lead our educational programs and operational efforts, driving excellence in both curriculum development and organizational management. The Managing Director is the face and leader of the woodworking school. They will help to organize and guide it forward while ensuring everything goes smoothly day to day. This position will work closely with the Board of Directors and the Executive Director, who is responsible for all non-profit related endeavors.

Duties (Not limited to the following)

• Work closely with non-profit counterpart Executive Director Role
• Handles all aspects of of the Austin School of Furniture Foundation specifically related to woodworking and woodworking education
• Set strategic vision of the curriculum and education of woodworking students
• Contact, schedule, coordinate with instructors
• Write and design new woodworking classes and coordinate other instructors in the development of their courses
• Drive enrollment to meet earned revenue targets set by Board of Directors
• Establish class prices and associated costs (instructor, materials, etc.) to yield target margins
• Design, negotiate and execute instructor contracts to meet financial targets
• Set weekly, monthly and yearly class schedules
• Manage class sizes, schedules including additions, changes, and cancellations to achieve financial targets
• Manage costs in alignment with budgets to achieve financial targets
• Coordinate and Manage Shop Manager and their duties
• Handle all human resources and submit payroll information to payroll processing company and accounting team
• Create all marketing collateral for classes and post to website and social media
• Work with bookkeeper and treasurer on budgets and cash flow
• Basic administrative duties
• Work with Executive Director on events, outreach and fundraising
• Help recruit, train and coordinate volunteer instructors, apprentices, and shop techs for woodworking and shop related activities

Minimum Requirements

• Background in woodworking and furniture making with a broad knowledge of wood-related topics, trends, processes and skills
• Background in entrepreneurship and/or business management
• Strong oral communication, written language and project management skills
• Detail oriented with management and leadership skills
• Exemplary computer and internet skills.

Desired Qualifications

• Existing relationships and connections in the Austin Woodworking Community
• Experience with delivery of online and/or recorded content
• Passion for innovative wood-related education program building for multi-generational audiences
• High tolerance for ambiguity with a willingness to navigate a complex work environment and build efficient systems and procedures
• Positive, can-do attitude and a sense of humor
• Can work independently and autonomously with little oversight

Bonus Skills

• Non-Profit Experience
• Photography / Basic Video / Basic Graphic Design Experience
• Teaching experience
• Furniture Making Portfolio

Hours and Location

• Location: Austin, Texas
• Mixture of in-person and remote work
• 20 to 30 hours per week

Compensation

• Part-time paid role leading into a full-time paid position
• Shop and tool usage
• Woodworking Courses